QBR: BOMBAY fever by Sidin vadukut

                                             

                                              
                                                    Bombay Fever by Sidin Vadukut
                                                           RT Rating: 2.75/5
                                                           Medical Thriller
                                             370+ pages, Simon & Schuster India (2017)

The Verdict:'Bombay Fever' is a decent (desi) medical thriller. It describes how an outbreak occurs and how difficult it is to contain one. It has it's moments but the fans of Robin Cook might not find anything new in this work!
 
Synopsis: An Indian Journalist in Switzerland travels all the way back to India with a 'mystery' illness. But little did he know that it was the beginning of an outbreak!

The Good: starts with a bang, the outbreak is described in a dramatic yet 'interesting' manner as far as a lay reader is concerned, the pacing is good, climax is also pretty decent , the 'beta-protocol' and the 'multi-sampler' are innovative concepts.

The Bad: pretty much loses steam after the initial 50-60 pages or so and only picks up towards the climax portions, greater part of the book is basically the same stuff getting repeated again and again- descriptions of numerous people getting infected with the same mutant strain,the lies and speculations about the Indian Navy (the submarine sub-plot) could have been done away with! 

Recommendations: Borrow it!

-nikhimenon

QBR: Miracle Cure By Harlan Coben

Image:Amazon UK

Miracle Cure By Harlan Coben

RT Rating: 2.6/5

Medical Thriller/Crime Thriller

480 pages, ORION (2013), originally published in 1991 by British American Publishing

 The Verdict: One of Coben's earliest works, Miracle Cure can be read once , if you are a die-hard Coben fan!

Synopsis:Dr Harvey has discovered a perfect cure for HIV.But there is someone trying to sabotage his discovery!

The Good:the 'Medical' aspects are still relevant, has it's moments of suspense

The Bad:Pretty dated work (even Coben himself admits the same), the climax twist was pretty predictable, quite over-long too!

Recommendations:Borrow it!

-nikhimenon

Host by Robin Cook

I have been a fan of Robin cook for a long time , almost 5-6 books span. Then i got hooked to different genre. Though i did read a few medical thrillers , none matched the writing and knowledge of Cook.

When I got a chance to read this book, i was happy and eager to embark on this adventure. This turned out to be better. The plot revolves around healthy patients ending up in a vegetative state and then being moved to a recently constructed fully automatic wing of the hospital with no one knowing the diagnosis or the cure of their various symptoms. When Lynn's boyfriend meets a siMilar fate , she starts noticing the abnormalities and the impossibility of the situation on its own. With help from her best friend , she starts digging into the patient histories and the test results and soon she finds the number of such cases are alarming for a single hospital.

What I have always enjoyed about Cook's books is the way the setup is created, to look like a day out of a diary. The characters do not just stay focussed on the investigation but the routine tells us a lot about them , the general outline of the place , the different departments and services. In a nutshell , the author transports you into the center of action with his simple yet engaging writing.

The climax is a little flat thouh I admit i will need a second look to grasp the reasoning provided in the end.

Overall , I enjoyed the book a lot.

My rating : 3.5/5 

Breach by Amrita Chowdhury

Title:Breach
Author:Amrita Chowdhury
Pages:352
Year:2014
Source:review copy via Think Why Not
Publisher:Hachette India
Price:350 INR
amazon

    The Market for Indian writing in English is booming.The last couple of years has seen an unprecedented surge in the number of books releasing in the (desi) pulp-fiction genre.Be it military/banking/historical/horror/science fiction thrillers,you name it,an Indian version is readily available for you,at a mouse click.(thanks to that awesomely awesome device called Kindle!).Almost all the internationally best selling thriller sub-genres have been tried out by the Indian writers,with varying degrees of success.Having said that,I would also like to remind you all that 'medical thrillers' is one sub-genre which hasn't got the fancy of these desi writers,till date.'Breach' is one work which bravely steps into this hitherto unchartered territory and comes out with flying colours.

Acel,the pharma-giant is all set to grab a global patent for it's newly discovered path breaking anti-cancer drug,'Colare'.In an unexpected turn of events,Acel's offshore centre in Mumbai is attacked by hackers and a lot of sensitive,confidential data are stolen.The dynamic,young country(India) head of the Company,Dr Udai is blamed for this serious security lapse and he finds his life and career turned upside down all of a sudden.Now,the onus is on him to prove his innocence.It's not only his reputation and career at stake,but also the future of a potentially life saving drug which can benefit millions of cancer patients across the globe.'Breach' is an inter continental tale which is all about trust,deceit,blatant greed and medical ethics.

Though the cover page(quite decently designed) screams that it is a Cyber thriller,for me 'the Breach' worked more as an emotional rollercoaster ride set in the back drop of the pharmaceutical industry than as a full fledged cyber/techie story.A lot of technical stuff is explained in the book in a very simple,easy to understand way.Kudos to the writer for making them (the hacking part/patent related portions) as simple as possible.Through the book,Amrita tries to highlight the flaws in the patent laws and the deteriorating work ethics in this highly cut-throat,competitive world.The irony of the mad rush for profits among the drug companies at a time when the lives of millions of poor and unpreviliged are at stake has been etched out well by Mrs Choudhury in this book.For that matter,I think 'Breach' is a very relevant work.It throws light in to the rot in the pharmaceutical sector and also suceeds in reminding us that all is not lost,yet!

There are quite a number of characters in this novel.I can confidently say that the writer has derived them from her real life experiences.From high end executives,corporate honchos to small time movie pirates and school students who don't hesitate to make a few quick bucks by indulging in online piracy and unethical hacking,this tale finds a place for people from the different strata of the society.Infact,Amrita's characters are tangible and believable.

The book is undoubtedly an easy-to-read page turner.The Chapters are short(with each running to not more than a couple of pages)and crisply edited.The writing is racy and suits the overall mood of the book.The average reader might find the first couple of chapters to be a bit confusing as atleast a dozen characters get introduced here in rather quick succession.Even then, it cannot be overlooked that the writer succesfully manage to set the tone of the novel right from it's first couple of pages itself.There is also a short romantic track thrown into the narrative which,I personally believe could have been done away with.On the downside,I feel the book deserves a little bit of editing in it's middle portions.May be they can rectify it in the coming editions!

Verdict-Go and grab a copy of this unputdownable thriller at the earliest.It's actually worth every penny you spend on it.Rating-4/5

-nikhimenon

45 Days In A Cancer Hospital by Alka Dimri Saklani

I am eating, living, breathing mysteries. Yes. In books. On television. In my mind too. Its just a matter of time before I become that lampooning character who roams around the world casting suspicious looks at people, trying to find mysterious stories and explanations where exist none. Phew. One more time, its a mystery that came my way for review. A win - its a different kind of mystery - a medical mystery - the first that I have ever read.

45 Days In A Cancer Hospital is the debut work of author Alka Dimri Saklani. This book narrates a story based in Umeed Hospital - a medical centre which has built its reputation as the best cancer treatment centre, in perhaps the whole country. Dr. Chatterjee, the founder of this hospital, is also a famous cancer specialist, one known to have given his life to the cause of caring for cancer patients. His own mother had died of bone cancer and under excruciatingly bad conditions since his father refused to afford the treatment. His incapacity to save his mother as a child drove him towards the noble medical profession - one which he pursued with obsessive sincerity.

Enter Ashritha - a young and famous writer, who, as her latest project is writing a book on the lives of cancer patients, for the purpose of which, she decides to stay in Umeed Hospital and observe and interview patients. She hopes that her book will become a source of hope, company and inspiration for others afflicted with this deadly disease. However, little does she know that the hospital she chooses to stay in has more to offer than just the stories of people coping up with cancer. A number of terminally ill patients are being killed in cold blood - an extremely strange occurrence given that they are already going to die. Ashritha, the strong, concerned and smart woman she is, suspects some foul play and with the help of her friend from CBI - Animesh - gets on course to unravelling the elusive facts behind these hideous acts. The road to solving the mystery is paved with threats to Ashritha's life, but for once does she not buckle down. If anything, she is even firmly back on the case. Intellectually ripe, she is able to figure out it all - only her wildest dreams could not have conjured where ultimately her investigations lead her. This, along with a subtle, brewing romance between Ashritha and Animesh is what makes this book a wholesome tale to savour.

I roughly took three days to finish this book, that too when I had a pile load of work to do. The previous line is to show that the book managed to keep me engrossed. The storyline is interesting, with adequate crests and very less troughs. Crises are introduced in the story when you least expect. However, as you get friendly with the author and the psyche of her characters, for sometime, the narrative does become predictable. The tale ends like most mysteries do - the culprit is not whom you expect, but one who fits the jigsaw perfectly. Alka's characters are deep, and have consistent traits, which makes them easy to understand and follow. The language of the book is quite ordinary and comfortable. No big promises, but this book does live up to the excitement it creates in the back-cover blurb. The knowledge and research of the author shows in the way she has described unto last detail the life of doctors and nurses in the hospital. The book seldom loses its focus and ties together all the lose ends at the climax. To summarize, I would not label this an extraordinary piece of writing, but a genuinely decent effort by first time writer Alka Dimri Saklani. Giving it 2.5 stars on 5, I would go on to say that this is the kind of easy-read mystery that would conveniently fit into your hectic schedule and provide welcome distractions.

PS - My favourite bit about the book is the Acknowledgements. The author admits to having named her protagonist on her brother, because his support during the process of drafting the book was invaluable. I only hope that if someday I get down to writing a book, I have similar support systems available to me too. 

Book Details -

Title - 45 Days In A Cancer Hospital

Author - Alka Dimri Saklani

Publisher - Leadstart

Genre - Medical Mystery / Crime Fiction

Price - ₹ 195

Pages - 296

Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell

ISBN:          0751544434
ISBN-13:     9780751544435, 978-0751544435
Binding:       Paperback
Pages:         416
Language:   English




( From the book cover )

A reclusive writer is dead. And her final manuscript has disappeared ...

Someone is stalking Beryl Madison. Someone who spies on her and makes threatening, obscene phone-calls. Terrified, Beryl flees to Key West - but eventually she must return to her Richmond home. The very night she arrives, Beryl inexplicably invites her killer in ...

Thus begins for Dr Kay Scarpetta the investigation of a crime that is as convoluted as it is bizarre. Why would Beryl open the door to someone who brutally slashed and then nearly decapitated her? Did she know her killer? Adding to the intrigue is Beryl's enigmatic relationship with a prize-winning author and the disappearance of her own manuscript. As Scarpetta retraces Beryl's footsteps, an investigation that begins in the laboratory with microscopes and lasers leads her deep into a nightmare that soon becomes her own.




I read Patricia cornwell's novel " Book of the dead " two years back and I still can remember the craze it became for me that weekend to finish it and reach the end. After months ( probably the 2nd or 3rd time this year ) , i felt the same obsession in me.

The book follows the life of a writer Beryl who for some reasons writes under different names for each of her book and was on a run days before she is killed in her own home. The book engages you from the beginning with the letters she writes to a certain "M" ; with the stated fact that she opened the door to the killer even when she was scared enough to hide from the world till then. Then there is the odd mentor who is first thought as the man behind her killing and later the victim too.The simple looking plot goes on to link different people in unimaginable ways to the story - Beryl's friends , friend's friends, police , cheif medical officer , patient of a mental hospital , lawyers of entertainment industry and so on. Every answer is another question towards solving the mystery but question still. Its not till the end that the puzzle starts solving itself in your head and yet you have to read to make sense of few things that still are hazy in your understanding. The medical officer Scarpetta is intutive , sensitive, focussed and as humane as you can imagine. Married to her work , and living with a not so happy past , she is not the super hero you simply admire. she is the character you want to be inspired from. Patricia knows her art really well. I am totally into reading her other books soon.

Rating : 4.5/5 ( + 0.5 for being so addictive :P )

Mortal Fear- Robin Cook

BEST SELLERS: Coma, Chromosome 6, Abduction, Sphinx, Brain

1ST PUBLISHED: 1988

ISBN:978-0-330-30760-4

GENRE: Medical Thriller

SYNOPSIS:

Jason Howard used his career as a doctor to escape a private tragedy; until his own patients started dying from massive heart attacks. When his colleague becomes the next victim, Jason is finally forced to act. A decision that could cost him his life…

Before his death, Doctor Alvin Hayes had been on the verge of a secret medical breakthrough. What was one more murder to the conspirators who had inherited his crown?

EXCERPT:

A moan escaped from his lips; then both hands shot out and gripped the tablecloth, clawing it toward him. The wine glasses fell over. He started to get to his feet but he never made it. With a violent choking cough, he spewed a stream of blood across the table, drenching the cloth and spraying Jason, who jumped backward, knocking over his chair. The blood didn’t stop. It came in successive waves, splattering everything as nearby diners began to scream….There was nothing Jason could do but hold the man as his life flowed out of him.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

When world class molecular biologist Doctor Alvin Hayes died in the arms of Jason Howard, declaring that someone wanted him killed, our protagonist thought that Hayes was perhaps suffering from stress and a nervous breakdown. But with his growing worry about patients dying merely weeks after their physicals and being declared reasonably healthy, as well as signs that seemed to corroborate Hayes’ belief that someone was misusing his discovery, Jason got wondering if Hayes really had been telling the truth about the medical breakthrough he was convinced he had been on the brink of.

The novel focuses on Jason’s attempt to unearth Hayes’ secret in order to bring to light a discovery that could possibly benefit mankind. It reveals how this profession can be a gift- and a burden. It makes one aware of the astounding power of science that can destroy as well as it can heal.

Jason is a protagonist that one cannot help but like from the word go. The touch of innocence in his nature only adds to his charm. The most impressive character is, believe it or not, a cabaret dancer by the name of Carol Donner. Jason’s interaction with her, in certain parts of the story, actually made me giggle! She is, perhaps, the one who makes the read all the more worthwhile.

Although the plot is a little predictable at times, at others it’s pleasantly surprising- or gruesomely horrifying. This might not be one of the best thrillers I have read so far, but it most definitely is enjoyable.

RATING: 3/5

PRICE: Rs.225/-

NUMBER OF PAGES: 364

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs

Other works : Bones to Ashes


Synopsis: In the year since Dr. Temperance Brennan left behind a shaky marriage in North Carolina, work has often preempted her weekend plans to explore Quebec. But when an unidentified female corpse is discovered meticulously dismembered and stashed in garbage bags, Tempe detects an alarming pattern within the grisly handiwork -- and her professional detachment gives way to a harrowing search for a killer in the city's winding streets. With little help from the police, Tempe calls on her expertise, honed in the isolated intensity of the autopsy suite, to investigate on her own. But her determined chase is about to place those closest to her -- her best friend and her daughter -- in mortal danger....

Excerpt :

With a stab of pain, I’d noticed that her toenails were painted a soft pink. The intimacy of that simple act had caused me such an ache that I wanted to cover her, to scream at all of them to leave her alone. Instead, I’d stood and watched, waiting for my turn to trespass.

I could still close my eyes and see the jagged edges of the lacerations on her scalp, evidence of repeated blows with a blunt object. I could recall in minute detail the bruises on her neck. I could visualize the petechial hemorrhages in her eyes, tiny spots left by the bursting of small blood vessels. Caused by tremendous pressure on the jugular vessels, they are the classic sign of strangulation.

My gut had recoiled as I’d wondered what else had happened to her, this woman-child so carefully composed and nurtured by peanut butter, Scout leaders, summer camps, and Sunday schools. I’d grieved for the years she wouldn’t be allowed to live, for the proms she’d never attend, and the beers she’d never sneak. We think we are a civilized tribe, we North Americans in the last decade of the second millennium. We’d promised her three score years and ten. We’d allowed her but sixteen.

Nimue Says: This is the first book in the Brennan series. I read "bones to Ashes" last month and I liked it enough to search for another Brennan book. but something inside me told me to start with the first one. and I am glad I did that. This is the book that defines Tempe. Even if the narration gets a bit long , or you get troubled with the French added to the dialogues. you still can not stop turning pages. Brennan as described in the book is much different personally from the one portrayed in the TV series "bones" and frankly, I like this one more. This Tempe is as focussed and a tough nut at work as much she is emotional about people around her. She isn't too clinically accurate as the TV one but as vocal about her ideas.


This book starts with discovery of a pile of bones in a sack. The head and limbs are separated and that is not the only gruesome thing about it. As Tempe works on the bones , trying to help with identification , she can not help notice similarities with anoher case of the past. Initially no one wants toa dmit the connection and that leads her to go on with the investigation all alone - not a wise thing but surely brave on her part. The meticulous way Kathy ties each of the cases together - all in past , the first one discovered and the future one is a pleasure to read. The book keeps getting better and better with each day , so does Brennan's life as the guy behimd all the killings begins stalking her and reaches to her best friend for sending out his message.Also the end is worth all the pages you read before the final showdown ! The complete picture surely amazes you as much impresses you, considering this was Kathy's first Brennan book.
A totally must read fr all fans  of Bones !


Brennan  and Ryan do not share much chemistry in this one but sure there are glimpses of theeir professional bond and the desire for justice.


Rating: 4.5/5


Other details:
ISBN:  0671011367
ISBN-13:  9780671011369, 978-0671011369
Publishing Date:  Jun 1998
Number of Pages:  560
Price : 350/-

Chromosome 6- Robin Cook

Author : Robin Cook

Synopsis: (From book cover)

When notorious underworld leader Carlo Franconi is gunned down, his Mafioso competitors become prime suspects. Suspicions are fuelled when Franconi’s body disappears from the city morgue before it can be autopsied- much to the embarrassment of the authorities, but to the amusement of forensic pathologist Jack Stapleton.

A few days later, the mutilated, unidentifiable body of a ‘floater’ arrives on the autopsy table and Jack himself becomes disturbed by the case. While unidentified bodies routinely make their way to medical examiner’s office, what arouses Jack’s curiosity is not so much that the body is missing its head, hands and feet – but also its liver.

Aided by his colleague Dr Laurie Montgomery, he identifies the corpse as the missing mobster. But who actually killed Carlo Franconi? And was the killer also responsible for the theft of the corpse and its grisly disfigurement?

Their search for the truth leads them to the steamy jungle of equatorial Africa, where they discover a sinister cabal whose activities include surgical procedures a step beyond the latest in current technology- and a leap beyond the accepted medical ethics.

Excerpts:

“When I toured that island way back before all this started,” Kevin said, “I remember seeing some caves in that limestone cliff. What I’m thinking is that our creations are going into the caves, maybe even living in them. It’s the only way I can think of to explain why the grid would fail to pick them up.”

Melanie brought up a hand to cover her mouth. Her eyes reflected a flicker of horror and dismay.

Candace saw Melanie’s reaction. “Hey, come on, guys,” she pleaded. “What’s wrong? What are you thinking?”

Melanie lowered her hand. Her eyes were locked on Kevin’s. “What Kevin was referring to when he said he was terrified he’d overstepped the bounds,” she explained in a slow, deliberate voice,” was the fear that he’d created a human.”

Maithili Speaks:

This is one of Robin cook's best work in his genre. I picked up this book trying to explore more into the world of medical fiction and to those who feel this book would go over their head - Robin cook has explained all the terms in a language any layman could understand! 

The story is of a academist Kevin who has stumbled upon a research involving Chromosome 6. With the help of this chromosome and biotechnology he is able to make a double of human by inserting the same gene in a bonobo-an ape family. Little does he know that Chromosome 6 also contains development genes!

The bonobos are created as double and can be used in future for organ transplant without any issues of incompatibility. The bio giant GenSys has set up a huge hospital and facilities for the research with the help of a small Africa country government which is in dire need of foreign currency- so much that it has made a capital punishment for anyone interfering with the Company. 

The project incharge recruits doctors and there is  chain of cuts to be given for each successful double. But the only issue that GenSys is worried about it -secrecy! An hint of this operation and they could get into serious animal right issues.

Kevin notices smoke in the jungles were bonobos are kept and he fears the worst- the bonobos are behaving like cavemen and using fire!!!!!!

Back in New York, Laurie and Jack, two medical examiners are worrying over the strange circumstances in which body of Carlos, a mobster, is found. Their trail leads them to African country where they discover the terrifying overstepping of ethics.

This story is amusing and the whole concept of bonobos turning like cavemen is fascinating. The plot is excellent and fast paced.

Rating: 4 /5

You can download this book from HERE

INTERVENTION- Robin Cook

              

Author: Robin Cook

Best Sellers : Coma, Chromosome 6 and many others

Synopsis:

It's been more than thirty years since New York City medical examiner Jack Stapleton's college graduation and almost as long since he's been in touch with former classmates Shawn Daughtry and James O'Rourke. A post mortem on a young college student who had recently been treated by a chiropractor leads Jack to investigate alternative medicine. What makes some people step outside the medical establishment to seek care from practitioners of Eastern philosophies and even faith healers?

Jack's classmate Shawn Daughtry is now a renowned archaeologist and biblical scholar. He has recently obtained permission for a final dig beneath Saint Peter's in Rome- despite a long-standing grudge against the Catholic Church- and has made a startling discovery with huge ecclesiastical and medical implications.

When James O'Rourke, now Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, gets wind of Shawn's findings, he's desperate to keep them from the public. James has strong political ambitions within the church, but his association with Shawn threatens to undermine them. James turns to his old friend Jack to help protect an explosive secret- one with power to change lives forever.

Excerpts:

"What about the bones?" James asked. " What did you learn from the anthropologist? Are they human? Are they female? Is it more than one person?"

Shawn responded," They are definitely human, without doubt female, and it is only one person."

"And there is suggestion that the individual was multiparous," Jack added. "Infact, significantly multiparous, like more than five, maybe even up to a dozen children."

James felt his pulse hammer at his temples and for a moment he was overheated, thinking of removing his sweater. After taking a sip of wine to relieve his suddenly parched throat, he asked, "What about the age of the individual?"

"That's difficult to ascertain, but the anthropologist was willing to guess over fifty, probably more like eighty plus."

"I see," James said simply. Doing a quick calculation in his head, he realized with yet another start that such an age would have been entirely appropriate for the Blessed Mother, considering Jesus's birth around 4 BC and her death in AD 62. She would have been in her eighties..

Maithili Speak:

I took up this book expecting it to be another medical fiction by Robin Cook. I was in for a surprise when I realised what this book was all about. Unlike some of Robin Cook books which revolved around the medical fraternity, this book got into religion, archaelogy, alternate medicine and the Blessed Virgin Mary!

Jack is a medical investigator who has lost his wife and two daughters in a crash. His son , JJ, from his second wife Laurie , is all of 4 months and suffering from a deadly cancer. Jack considers himself unlucky for his loved ones and guilty for diverting himself in his profession to forget his pain. 

The death of a young student who was getting treated by a chiropractor ( someone who treats ailments by spinal adjustments) makes Jack plunge into alternate medicine and its harmful effects. Soon he realises why people would prefer alternate medicine and also he realises that people won't like to listen about the ill effects and he drops his efforts there.

Shawn Daughtry finds a codex in an antique shop in Egypt and to his utter amazement, it is an original. It contains information about the ossuary of the Blessed Mother which is dug with Saint Peters. Shawn an archaeologist and his wife Sana- an expert in mitochondrial DNA studies, set out to extract the ossuary. Sana wishes to identify the DNA sequence and find a similar code in a woman who would be of  a direct maternal  lineage of Mother Mary! 

James, the Bishop is aware of the work his friend Shawn has started and petrified of the consequences it would have on the masses if the work gets published. He asks for Jack's help to convince Shawn to not do so and when he fails he sends Luke, a man with childish angelic looks and who is dedicated to brotherhood of Virgin Mary, to change Shawn's intentions. Little does he know that Luke is fanatical with his faith..

It is almost at par with Dan Brown's genre.. I loved the build up and the shocking end of the book. .

Rating: 4 on 5. I would have liked a little more on chiropractor angle..

Price: Rs 299 /-

Bones To Ashes - Kathy Reichs

BONES TO ASHES

a Temperance Brennan novel

ISBN - 978-1-4165-2565-3
FIRST PRINTED - 2008
PAGES - 388
BINDING - Paperback
GENRE - Medical Thriller

AUTHOR - Kathy Reichs

BEST-SELLERS - Deja Dead, Bare Bones, Fatal Voyage

SYNOPSIS - The discovery of a skeleton in Acadia, Canada, reawakens a traumatic episode for forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan: Could the young girl's remains be those of Evangeline Landry, Tempe's friend who disappeared when Tempe was twelve? Exotic, free-spirited, and slightly older, Evangeline enlivened Tempe's summer beach visits...then vanished amid whispers that she was 'dangerous'. Now, faced with bones scarred with inexplicable lesions, Tempe is consumed with solving a decades-old mystery - while her lover, detective Andrew Ryan, urgently needs her attention on a wave of teenage abductions and murders. With both Ryan and her ex-husband making suprising future plans, Tempe may find soon that her lover has painfully and irrevocably changed once again.

EXCERPT - Disconnecting, I felt a vague sense of trepidation. LaManche rarely phoned me. When he did, it was never good news. Five bikers torched in a Blazer. A woman facedown in a senator's pool. Four bodies in a crawl space.

LaManche had been a forensic pathologist for more than thirty years, directed our medico-legal division for twenty of that. He knew i was scheduled back today, and that I'd report to the lab first thing in the morning. What could be so complicated that he felt the need to double check my availability?

Or so gruesome.

FL Speak - Yes!! A Temperance Brennan novel. Though i read one of her novels before i started watching Bones, i didn't realize that time it was the same Brennan. Now, however i started reading this novel thinking of Emily Deschanel's character in Bones. It becomes quite clear that those two are extremely different characters. Temperance Brennan of the novels are Kathy Reichs' creation whereas Tempe in 'Bones' are based on Kathy Reichs herself. Glad that i cleared that up.

Coming back to the novel, this book takes us to Brennan's past. Evangeline, Tempe's friend when she was still a kid, disappeared without a reason and nobody was willing to tell why and how. A skull found in Acadia, Evangeline's hometown, brought her back to the Tempe's memories and she frantically prays its not Evangeline. Detective Ryan on the other hand, is swamped physically and emotionally with the case he's handling. A serial killer is out there that targets young girls still in their teens. As Brennan digs into the past and also finds the time to help Ryan, they stumble upon a man who they discover is married to Obeline, Evangeline's sister. Sure that their two cases are intertwined, Tempe and her sister, Harry decide to crack the mystery of Evangeline's disappearance by visiting Obeline. Little did they know that it would raise a few red flags. Soon, Tempe gets threatening calls and emails. Ryan, looking into the missing girls' case discovers a guy who lured the girls promising a star career and instead sold them in the child porn business.

It all comes down to the final 50 pages where revelations and heartbreak mingle with joy and sorrow as they cases race to an explosive end. And in the crossfire is Tempe and Harry. Do they find the missing girls? Will Detective Ryan be able to deliver justice to the parents of the murdered girls? What happened to Evangeline 20 years ago? The answers are revealed in a shocking disclosure as they race against time to solve the case and keep themselves alive.

My Rating - 3 star

E-Book - click HERE


PRICE - INR 275/-